Spent 3 days in Yantai, and my spending habits collapsed
Yantai is a beautiful coastal city, and 3 days is enough to fully enjoy its charm with this itinerary plan
- Day 1: Yantai City Tour: In the morning, head to Yantai Hill Scenic Area, a landmark attraction where you can climb the lighthouse and enjoy views of the coastline and the entire city. Then visit Chaoyang Street, a European-style street with a Republic of China era vibe, featuring many creative coffee shops and bookstores. Next, explore Suochengli to experience the charm of a northern old street. In the afternoon, go to the First Seawater Bathing Beach, where you can hunt for sea creatures, feed seagulls, and enjoy a beautiful sunset.
- Day 2: Island and Coastal Scenery Tour: Travel to Yangma Island, known as the "Little Maldives of China," with clear waters. You can rent a car or take a taxi to tour around the island, visiting spots like Glass Sea and Lotus Sunset. You can also rest and take photos at the Island Diary Café. In the afternoon, return to the city and stroll along Binhai Middle Road to admire the sea view, then head to Haichang Fisherman’s Wharf, where the European-style architecture is full of rich European charm, perfect for photos.
- Day 3: Penglai Wonderland Tour: In the morning, visit Penglai Pavilion Scenic Area, the starting point of the Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea legend and one of China’s four famous ancient towers. Then visit the Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea Scenic Area, surrounded by sea on three sides and shaped like a treasure gourd lying on the ocean. In the afternoon, you can go to Sanxian Mountain Scenic Area to experience the fairy mountain atmosphere from ancient mythology. If time permits, watch the large-scale poetry and music dance show "Penglai Wonderland · Soul of Harmony" in the evening.
Food Recommendations
- Mong Kok Little Fishing Village: A local seafood restaurant in Yantai, signature dishes include sea cucumber rice and scallion-braised sea cucumber.
- Penglai Chun: A long-established Shandong cuisine restaurant, worth trying Penglai noodles and seafood dumpling soup.
- Sanheyuan Dumplings: A local old dumpling restaurant, with large, thin-skinned, and generously filled mackerel dumplings that taste delicious.
Accommodation Suggestions
- Luxury: Yantai Marriott Hotel Xin Guang, with balconies overlooking the sea and an outdoor garden leading directly to Golden Sand Beach; Yantai Shimao Hilton Hotel, nestled between mountains and sea, offering beautiful coastal views.
- Budget-friendly: Consider staying near Wanda or Joy City in Zhifu District for convenient transportation and plenty of nearby dining options.